Galgorm Castle

Location: On Galgorm Road, one and a half miles outside Ballymena.

Contact: Owner - Christopher Brooke. Tel (08) 01266 46161. Fax (08) 01266 651151.

Course: 18 holes parkland. Back tees - 6,724 yds par 72; Forward - 6,230 yds par 72; Women's - 5,256 yds par 72.

Architect: Simon Gidman.

Opened for play: July 1997

Green fees: £18 Stg weekdays; £24 Stg weekends.

Accommodation: Galgorm Manor. Tel (08) 01266 881001; fax (08) 01266 880080. B and B £49 Stg pps. Leighinmoor Hotel. Tel (08) 01266 652343; fax (08) 01266 656669. Golf breaks - B and B x 2 plus 2 days' golf - £80 Stg midweek; £99 Stg weekend. Beechfield Guest House (08) 01266 650709. B and B £15 Stg.

It must be years since I saw a 1943 movie called The Ox-Bow Incident, which, as I recall, starred Henry Fonda and was probably the finest cinematic indictment of lynching. And in all that time, it never occurred to me to find out how the movie got its name.

Well, enlightenment eventually came recently, in the most fascinating circumstances. "First, I must take you down to the ox-bow," said Christopher Brooke. "After that, we can see the meeting of the waters."

On the recommendation of Ulster friends who know their golf, I had travelled to Ballymena to see the splendid new facility at Galgorm Castle. They informed me that my host was literally an honourable gentleman, but on meeting him, Brooke explained with a smile: "I don't use the title for fear that people might think of me as a layabout who did nothing all day."

Any such notions would be quickly dispelled on hearing of Brooke's enforced departure to the Middle East after inheriting the estate from his grandmother in 1980. Quite simply, he needed to earn sufficient money to make it viable. Formidable death duties had to be paid, quite apart from major restoration work on the 17th century castle, which is considered one of the finest examples of Jacobean architecture in Ireland.

"In 1983, a new roof for the castle cost £50,000," he said. "That gives you some idea of the sort of money involved in overall renovations." Since moving back there in 1990, the castle has become home for himself, his wife and three children. And among other developments, 220 acres of the estate have been turned over to golf.

When the facility is completed, it will have cost about £5 million Stg, including the land, which, of course, he already owned. "That is calculated on the basis of a realistic value for good quality agricultural land, where barley and potatoes were grown," he said. "Obviously we're fortunate in having so many mature beech and oak trees, but we have also planted about 9,000."

He went on to say that in shaping the layout, 93,000 cubic metres of earth had been moved. Much of this, however, was for mounding around the greens insofar as the general lie of the terrain was already ideal for golf-course construction.

An excellently-appointed, 24-bay flootlit driving range, forms part of the facility and is proving to be very popular with patrons. And Brooke appeared rather chuffed at the idea of it being stocked with standard, competitive golf balls of which 2.5 million have been used since last July.

Meanwhile, construction work was in progress on an extension to the clubhouse catering facilities and plans were also outlined to me for a par-three course, close-by the castle. When that particular element is up and running, Brooke believes he will have a facility to cater for all golfing needs.

The course designer at Galgorm was Simon Gidman, who happens to be the current vice-president of the British Institute of Golf Course Architects. Greens and tees have been built to USGA specifications and Gidman's design skills are in evidence from the opening hole, a 452yard par four, which follows the lie of beautifully rolling terrain in a sharp dog-leg to the right.

On progressing out the course, it is difficult not to be impressed by the overall impact. Here is classic parkland terrain on which the key features of soil, water and mature trees are drawn together in a golfing challenge that is at once, delightful and daunting.

In fact it would be difficult to imagine a more ideal, self-contained site, bordered as it is by the River Main to the right and the River Braid to the left, forming two sides of a triangle until they meet at the back of the 13th green. From that point, the Main takes over and flows onwards to Lough Neagh.

Apart from the two rivers, there are five lakes which Gidman uses to strategic effect. I was particularly taken by the short seventh (141 yards) where the irregular-shaped lake to the front and right of the green, looked as if it might have been a part of the original landscape.

This is a lovely part of the course, where the eye follows lines of trees towards the 10th green, situated at the right extremity of the layout. Also in view were a few of the six swans, which are expected to multiply over the coming years. But what of the ox-bow, I hear you ask.

This is a horse-shoe bend in the River Braid - what a charming coincidence that it should carry the name of a five-times British Open champion. It is first encountered on the opening nine where the river has to be traversed to reach the green at the 323-yard fourth.

Then, on the homeward journey, the inside of the horse-shoe contains the 15th tee which is reached by crossing a 30-metre galvanised bridge over the fast-running current. From there, the competitor faces man-sized finishing holes comprising the 409-yard 16th, 446-yard 17th and the 550-yard, par-five 18th.

I was also guided to the view from the 12th tee where the majestic outline of Slemish could be seen in the distance, even in the prevailing, overcast conditions.

"If you were to pick a place in the whole of the UK that was most in need of a golf-course, this would be it," said Brooke. He went on to explain that the town of Ballymena, with fine industries such as Michelin, Gallaher and O'Kane's Poultry, has 30,000 inhabitants plus another 30,000 in its environs.

His point gains rich emphasis in the fact that the ceiling of 400 club members was reached before the official opening. And further evidence of local prosperity was the line of cars heading towards the clubhouse restaurant for what has become a very popular lunch location for the business community.

Meanwhile, as if to illustrate what a small world golfers inhabit, I met two internationals - one current, the other former - who happened to have a business meeting at the club. It was some time since I had last seen Lesley Callen but I soon remembered her from the Irish Women's Close Final at The Island in 1990 when she lost by 2 and 1 to Eileen Rose Power (nee McDaid).

She turned professional in 1993 and I learned that she had been through the mill since then, having undergone eight operations on her arms for soft-tissue injuries. "That convinced me that my future lay in teaching and fortunately I received excellent training from Peter Hanna at Fortwilliam," she said.

Brooke appeared to be extremely pleased with his decision to accord her the distinction of becoming one of the country's first women club professionals. And she in turn is looking forward to developing the teaching and sales sides of her job.

On the latter point, she had the chance of testing her skills with a rather notable sales representative, during my visit. Away from his familiar role as a leading amateur player, Garth McGimpsey had some splendid looking clubs that he was hoping would interest her.

"We badly needed a parkland course of this quality," he said. "And it happens to be ideally situated between Royal Co Down and Royal Portrush."

This crucial detail wasn't lost on Brooke who, like the more enlightened of golf developers, is keenly aware of the need for variety when packages are offered to prospective tourists. In Galgorm Castle, he has a facility that enthusiasts from near and far, are certain to welcome as heaven-sent.